Senate Gives Police More Discretion Over Obstructions

RICHMOND — The Senate agreed Monday to give police more discretion in arresting people who obstruct them while they're performing their duties or obstruct judges, magistrates, witnesses or jurors.

In a 37-3 vote, the senators passed a bill that would amend existing law that requires the obstruction to be accompanied by threats or force before the violator can be arrested.

As amended, the law would make it a misdemeanor for a person to knowingly obstruct these officials.

Sen. William E. Fears, D-Accomack, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Robert C. Scott, D-Newport News, testified in a committee hearing that the amendment would bring the law in line with one that now applies to people who obstruct rescue squad workers.

Fears tried to recruit senators for his committee meeting Monday by raiding another committee meeting across the hall.

All he got for his trouble was a brief exchange with a Republican.

"We're acting on some of your bills. Don't you want to be there?" Fears, chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, asked Edward M. Holland, D-Arlington, chairman of the Courts of Justice Committee.

Fears, in his shirtsleeves, was angry that the special Courts of Justice meeting was being held at the same time as the scheduled Commerce and Labor meet ing across the hall. Many of the senators sit on both committees.

"You're not even supposed to be meeting today," Fears grumped.

The Courts of Justice Committee members just grinned. Some of them shrugged.

The only person who spoke up was Edwina P. Dalton, R-Richmond.

Dalton had been arguing with the committee over some bills she was sponsoring. She was taking a drubbing from the committee Democrats when Fears burst into the room.

Now she turned on him: "What are you trying to do to me?" she asked.

Fears seemed to notice her for the first time. He grinned.

"Trying to mess you up, if I can," he said.

Someone suggested an impromptu debate between the outspoken Fears and the presumed GOP candidate for lieutenant governor.

Dalton smiled gamely, but Fears turned and went back to his own committee.